Detachable nosepiece for bifocal eyeglasses



m0201940. QLMOWRER 2,220,000

DETACHABLE NOSEPIECE FOR BIFOCAL EYEGLASSES Filed March 25, 19:59

7 A C/arV/@SLMOW/"er Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I DE'racHABLE Nszzm Foa Bnfoc EYEG Charles L. Mowrer, Hagerstown, Md. Application March 25,

13 Claims.

This invention relates to eyeglasses and more particularly to attachments for eyeglasses of the bifocal type.

In bifocal eyeglasses the reading segments are Y located in the lower parts of the lenses and below the normal line of vision of the wearers eyes. Accordingly, to see through the reading segments, the wearer must either lower his eyes or tip back his head in order to` bring his line of vision I through the reading/portions of the lenses. This renders the use of glasses of the bifocal type for long and continuous reading rather troublesome and tiresome, due to the physical effort necessary to bring the line of vision through the reading segments. This is particularly noticeable where reading is prolonged for a considerable period and the resulting physical and mental strain becomes a very serious matter.

Therefore, it has been proposed to divide the bridge pieces of bifocal eyeglasses with pennanently attached auxiliary nosepieces which can be moved into operative position to raise the glasses relative to the wearers eyes and bring the bifocal reading segment into his line of vision. In this manner the troublesome, physical,` and mental strain, aforementioned, may be obviated. However, arrangements of this type, although theoretically correct, have proven unsatisfactory from a practical aspect. This is due principally to the cumbersome and complex nature of these auxiliary bridge or nosepieces, as well as to unsightly appearance presented, and the increased weight added, by these permanently attached auxiliary nosepieces. Furthermore, devices of this type known to the prior art lack the necessary adjustability for adapting them to different types of eyeglass mountings and to the different physical characteristics of the individual wearer. For these and other reasons, auxiliary nosepieces of the permanently attached type have not provided a satisfactory and practical solution for this problem.

The present invention is, therefore, particularly concerned with novel means for accomplishing these desired results without, however, involv- LASSES y 1939, serai No. 264,202

(ci. ss-m ent invention to provide novel detachable nosepieces for bifocal eyeglasses which can be readily put on and taken oi! and which, when in place, rest on the wearers nose so as to elevate the lenses just sufciently to bring the reading segments 5 within the normal line of vision of the wearer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel detachable nosepieces for bifocal eyeglasses which have resilient means for holding the nosepiece in place, thereby obviating the incenvenience of having the detachable nosepieces fall from the eyeglasses when the eyeglasses are removed.

- More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide novel detachable nosepieces having 15 spring fingers for engaging edge portions of a pair of eyeglasses to hold the nosepiece-in place there- It is also an object of this invention to provide novel detachable nosepieces having lens receiving portions carried by resilient arms for engaging the edges of eyeglasses to hold said nosepieces in place thereon.

It is also an object of this inventiton toprbvide novel detachable nosepieces for bifocal eyeglasses having nosepiece elements which are readily and easily adjustable to vary the relative position of said nosepiece elements with respect to the eyeglasses on which they are used.

More particularly it is an object of this invention to provide novel detachable nosepieces in which the nosepiece elements are mounted on post-like members of material which may be bent to ad-just the position of the nosepiece elements.

The foregoing and other ancillary objects of this invention will become more apparent from a lreading of the following detailed description of several embodiments thereof when taken in connection with the appended claims and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 isfa front view oi' a pair of rimless bifocal eyeglasses of y the so-called high-bridge type with a preferred form of my ldetachable nosepiece in position thereon;

Figure 2 ls a plan view of the detachable nosepiece shown, in position, in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the preferred form of my detachable nosepiece;

Figure 4 is a rear view of the detachable nosepiece;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view oi' the nosepiece shown in Figures l to 4, inclusive, and illustrating the relative position of the nosepiece element with respect to the remainder of the device;

Figure 6 is a rear view of a pair of rimmed eye- 65 glasses, of the so-called low bridge or saddle bridge type, with a detachable nosepiece in operative position thereon;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a modied form of detachable nosepiece, with portions of an eyeglass on which it is secured shown in dotted lines;

Flgure 8 is a i'ront View of a pair of spectacles with another modified form of detachablenosepiece 'assembled thereon; and

Figure 9 is a planl view of still another modiiled form of detachable nosepiece constructed in accordance with my invention. i

Referring now to Figure 1, the numeral 2 designates the lenses of a pair of bifocal eyeglasses having a high bridge element 4 secured thereto by bracket members 6 and ^screws 1. Nose pads 8 are carried by bracket members 6 on rearwardly extending arm portions III in the usual manner. Temple brackets I2 are likewise secured to the outer edges of lenses 2, which are provided, in Ytheir lower portions, with bifocal reading segments I4. The numeral I8 designates a preferred form of novel detachable nosepiece device in general, the details of this being shown more clearly, and on a larger scale, in Figures 2 to 5, to which reference is now especially made. Y

This detachable nosepiece comprises an arm member, or cross-bar, I8 "preferably formed of materiall which may be bent. Secured to the outer end of arm I8, which is curved outwardly as shown, are substantially U-shaped spring elements or fingers 20. These spring lingers are secured to the end of arm I8 in any convenient manner, such as by welding, soldering or riveting, etc. Spring ngers 20 are bowed inwardly, as shown, to provide opposite points of con-- tact 22.

Secured to the mid-point of arm I8 is a curved post member 24, formed of bendable material like arm I8, and carrying at its slower end a nosepiece element 26, formed of any suitable materialand pivotally mounted thereon by a hinge joint 28. The hinge joint 28 is preferablysome- Whatl loosely arranged so that nosepiece element '26 may have a substantially universal movement and thus can readily seat itself on the wearers nose. 'I'he degree of pivotal movement is preferably limited so that by any type of suitable stops the nosepiece element cannot get too far out of position and come to rest with its edge on the wearers nose. A ball and socket joint or other appropriate connection could be used to mount element 26 on post 24.

With the detachable nosepiece I6 removed, the glasses shown in Figure 1, will rest with nosepads"8 on the sides of the wearers nose and with his normal line of vision passing through the approximate centers of the lenses 2 at points segments I4. Now, if thewearer wishes to see l through the lower, or bifocal reading section, he

must either tip his head back, or arrange the reading matter, to bring his line of vision through the lower portions of the eyeglasses. With my novel detachable nosepiece in place, as shown in Figure 1, nosepiece element 26 will rest on the bridge of the wearers nose and lenses -2 will be elevated suiiiciently to bring the bifocal reading portions I4 within the normal line of vision of the wearer. The exact amount the lenses are raised can be readily varied by suitable bending of the post member 24 which, as has been previously mentioned, is made of bendable material for this particular reason.

` glasses.

Spring fingers 2li are made so as to snuly engage the edge o f lenses 2 and the spacing of these U-shaped :linger portions is such that the! pass up over the lower inside part of the bracket 8, as can be seen from Figure l. By making the 5 arm portion I8 bendable, it is possible to adjust the width of the detachable nosepiece in order to accommodate it to dineren-t sizes of eye- Also, the detachable nosepieces I8 can be originally made in a wide range of sizes. Y

When in place, the upper edges of spring iingers 20 abut against the screw boss portions of brackets 6, as shown. The inwardly bowed portions 22 are preferably arranged to be substantially aligned with the screws 1, so that the nosepiece when being attached, cannot be accidently pushed up past the bridge brackets 6.

My novel detachable nosepiece can be very readily applied to, and removed from, eyeglaes as spring iingers 28 are of very light spring tension just suiiicient to hold the detachable nosepiece in place when the eyeglasses are removed, either for detaching or putting on the detachable nosepiece. Also, if desired, the nosepiece can be applied to, or removed from, the eyeglasses without taking the glasses oli, as it is a simple matter to slip the outer arlng ends of the spring ilngers 20 over the inside edges of the lenses and then slide the nosepiece up into the position shown in Figure 1 without removing the eyeglasses.

In Figure 6, the nosepiece just described is shown applied to a pair of bifocal eyeglasses having lenses 82, with reading segments 48, provided with rims 36 having the so-called low bridge or saddle bridge type of nosepiece 34. 35 In this application my improved detachable nosepiece functions the same as when used on the type of eyeglasses shown in Figure 1, except that spring lingers 28 now bear against nosepiece arms 38, instead of Y against screw bracket portions 6, as in the case of the eyeglass shown in Figure l.

The detachable nosepiece device just described, as well as others to be described hereinafter, can be as readily applied. to the rimmed type glasses of the high bridge type and also to rimless glasses of the low bridge type. Thus my Vnovel attachment is universally adaptable for use on all types of eyeglasses.

Referring now to Figure 7, a modiied form of detachable nosepiece is shown. In this form lthe arm 42 is made ofr resilient material, while the eyeglass engaging portions now consist of diverging linger elements 44 and 4S secured to opposite ends of arm 42 in any convenient manner, as by welding, soldering or riveting. These diverging ngers aremade of substantially rigid material which, however, may be bent in order to adjust the'dlverging opening to eyeglass edge portions of diierent thicknesses. Fingers 44 and 46 are preferably of diiIerent lengths, as shown,

-to facilitate assembly, and spring ngers 2i! may Vbe similarly formed if desired. Secured to the mid-portion of arm 42 is a post member 48. which corresponds in structure and function to 86 the arm 24 illustrated in Figures l to 5, and pivoted to the lower end of this post is a nosepiece element 58, corresponding to nosepiece element 2 6 in the rst described embodiment.

This modification`v functions the same as that 70 previously described, except that the resilient force for frictionally holding the attachment in place on the eyeglasses is provided by the resilient arm portion 42, arranged to be sprimg together in tting the attachment onto the eye- 15 glass and .when released to force nn'gers 48 and 44 outwardly so that theyjfrictionally engageV the edge of 'the eyeglass, as shown in lFigure 7. To facilitate the handling of this type of detachable nosepiece the ends of arm 42 are extended and formed with relatively sharpened points 52 which may be readily gripped b`y the nger tipsV when attaching or detaching the nosepiece device. Similar gripping' means may, ofl course, be provided on the detachable nosepiece shown in Figures 1 5, if desired. 1 l Y y It will be understood that this lastdescribed type of nosepiece, when mounted on eyeglasses of the typeshown in Figure 1, or in Figure 6, willl occupy the same relative position as the detachable nosepieces 'shown in these figures; the nosepiece element 50 resting on the wearer's nose in such a manner as to appropriately elevate the bifocal lenses. However, with this type of detachable nosepiece it is not necessary that nger elements 44-48 be brought to bear against brackets 6 or arms 38 as resilient arm 42 is sumciently strong to hold the nosepiece in place.

Referring now to Figure 8, another modified form of detachable nosepiece is shown. In this form a bar or arm element 54 is provided having resilient end portions 56 joined thereto by welding or any other suitable means, at points 55. Bar 54 is preferably bowed outwardly slightly to clear the forehead of the wearer. Carried byend portions 58 are clip `elements 58 adapted to clip over the outer sides of a pair of eyeglasses, as shown, and to be held in frictional engagement therewith by the resilient character of the` end portions 56. Clip elements 58 are made of bendable material so that they can be shaped to nicely i-lt the edge of lenses 2-2 and hold end portions 56 snugly against the front of the lenses, just inside of their outer peripheral edges as shown. When so fitted bar or arm 54 is firmly mounted on the eyeglasses.

Arm portion 54 carries a post member 5|, securedv thereto by welding, soldering or riveting, or in any other convenient manner, and which, like post members 24 and 48 is made oilbendable material.v

Secured to the lower end of post member 5| is a nosepiece element 59, pivoted on hinge joint for limited universal movement thereabout. Post 5| preferably extends downwardly in front of the bridge element 4 and is curved rearwardly to bring the nosepiece element 59 in proper position with respect to the lenses 2-2. Post member 5| is made of bendable material so that the exact position of nosepiece 59 can be readily adjusted to suit the requirements oi the individual.A This E glasses, the lenses will be raised just sumciently to bring the lower bifocal reading segments substantially in the normal line of vision of the wearer.

Referring now to Figure 9, stillanother type of detachable nosepiece is shown. In this form the nosepiece element 5| is provided with forwardly extending arms 82 which carry on their outer ends resilient spring fingers 54, corresponding in structure and function to lresilient. fingers 2l of the detachable nosepiece illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. `Arms 82` are made of bendable material in order that the position of nosepiece 8| may be adjusted and fingers 84 properly spaced. In order to facilitate the handling of this form of detachable nosepiece, finger-engaging projections 55 sharpened like the elements 52 of the modifications shown in Figure '1, are provided. The use of this modiiled form will, it is believed, be apparent from the previous description, and is exactly the same as that of the nosepiece shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive. 4 In all forms my novel detachable nosepiece provided with resilient means for frictionally engaging portions of a pair of eyeglasses so that it is securely held in position, and yet, may be readily removed and put in place. Also, in all forms ready adjustment, both as to the position of the auxiliary nosepiece to regulate the amount of lens elevation effected as well as for size requirements, is provided; the first by bendable post members and the second by bendable cross-bar elements or bendable fingers. Thus my novel detachable nosepieces are all readily adaptable for use with all types of eyeglasses and aiiord complete flexibility of adjustment. All of my novel detachable nosepieces are of simple construction and inexpensive to make and moreover need be worn only when it is desired to raise the eyeglasses. Accordingly, the disadvantages of permanently attached auxiliary nosepieces are avoided.

The inventionmay be embodied in other speciflc forms Without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced' therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by UnitedStates Letters Patent is:

1. A removable attachment for multifocal eyeglasses of the type having a conventional bridge extending between a pair of lens units containing distance and reading lens portions, said attachment comprising a cross bar, clips on spaced portions of said bar adapted to frictionally engage said respective lens units and a nose engaging element depending from said cross bar, said attachment when clipped to said eyeglasses with its nose engaging element resting on the wearer's nose serving to support said eyeglasses in elevated position with the reading lens portions located directly in front oi the wearers eyes.

2. A removable attachment for multifocal eyeglasses of the type having a conventional bridge extending between a pair of lens units containing distance and reading lens portions, said attachment comprising a cross bar, spring clips at opposite ends of said bar adapted to interilt with edge portions of the respective lens units and a nose engaging element depending from said cross bar, said attachment when clipped to said eyeglasses with its nose engaging element resting on the wearers nose serving to support said eyeglasses in elevated position with the reading lens portion located directly in front of the wearers eyes.

3. A removable attachment for multifocal eyeglasses of the type having a conventional bridge extending between a pair of lens units 4. A removable attachment for multifocal eyel glasses of the type having a conventional bridge extending between a pair of lens units containing distance and reading lens portions, said attachment comprising a cross bar or arm of bendable material, a post secured at its upper end to an intermediate portion of said arm, a nose engaging element carried by the lower end of 'said post, and spring fingers carried by opposite ends of said arm for frictionally gripping adjacent edges of said lens units, said attachment when secured to said eyeglasses with its nose engaging element resting on the wearers nose serving to support the eyeglasses in elevated position with the reading lens portion located directly in front of the wearers eyes.

5. A detachable nosepiece for eyeglasses comprising an outwardly bowed arm, a curved post member carried by said arm at its mid-point, a nosepiece element secured to said post member for limited `universal movement, and spring nngers associated with opposite ends of said arm for resiliently gripping portions of a pair of eyeglasses to removably hold said nosepiece thereon, said arm being formed of bendable material so that the spacing of its ends may be varied for different sized eyeglasses and said post being formed of bendable material so that the relative position of said nosepiece element with respect'to d arm may be adjusted.

6. A removable attachment for multifocal eyeglasses of the type having a conventional bridge extending between a pair of lens units' containing distance and reading lens portions, said attachment comprising an arcuate resilient arm, a post secured at one end to said arm and carrying a nose engaging element upon its other end, and clip means carried by opposite ends of said arm shaped to frictionally receive adjacent edge portions of said lens units and being urged toward said lens units by reason of the resiliency of said arm, said attachment when clipped to said eyeglasses with its nose engaging element resting on the wearers nose serving to support the eyeglasses in elevated position with the read. ing lens portion located directly in front of th wearers eyes.

7. A detachable nosepiece for eyeglasses comprising an arm having a substantially rigid midportion and resilient end portions, clip means carried by said end portions and adapted to frictionallyengage opposite end edges of a pair of eyeglasses to hold said arm in position thereon, a post member secured to the mid-portion of said arm and extending downwardly therefrom, anda nosepiece element secured to the lower end of said post member.

8. A detachable nosepiece for eyeglasses comprising, an arml having resilient ends, clip means carried by the ends of said arm and adapted to be held in engagement with the outer edges of a pair of eyeglasses by said resilient ends for holding said arm on said eyeglasses, a post member of bendable material secured to said arm and extending downwardly therefrom, and a nosepiece mounted on the lower end of said postffor limited universal movement thereon.

9. A detachable nosepiece for eyeglasses as set forth in claim 7, wherein said mid-portion is curved outwardly so as to clear a wearers forehead.

10. A detachable nosepiece attachment for multifocal eyeglasses of the type having a conventional bridge extending between two lens units containing distance and reading lens portions, said attachment comprising a cross bar terminating at opposite ends in iiexible end portions, clips on said flexible end portions iitting over adjacent edges of said lens units, a po'st depending from the mid-portion of said bar and a nose engaging element carried by said post, said attachment when clipped to said eyeglasses with its nose engaging element resting on the wearers nose serving to support said eyeglasses in elevated position with the reading lens portion located directly in front of the wearers eyes.

11. In the attachment recited in claim 10, said post being bendable for adjustment to suit the needs of an individual wearer and said nose engaging `element being rockable on said post.

12. A detachable nosepiece attachment for multifocal eyeglasses comprising a cross bar adapted to extend generally transversely of the lens units of said eyeglasses, said bar being resilient at least at its end portions, clips secured upon said bar at said resilient end portions and intertting with the edges of said lens units, i'lnger grip projections outstanding from said resilient end portions, said projections being conveniently disposed to be gripped by the fingers of the wearer of said eyeglasses for flexing the resilient end portions of said bar while attaching and removing said attachment, a post substantially medially carried by said bar and a nose engaging element at the lower end of said post, said attachment when clipped to said eyeglasses with its nose engaging element resting on the Y wearers nose serving to support said eyeglasses in elevated position with the reading lens portion located directly in front of the wearers eyes.

13. An attachment for multifocal eyeglasses of the type having a conventional bridge extending between lens units containing reading and distance lens portions, said attachment comprising a rigidbross bar terminating at opposite ends in arcuate resilient end portions adapted to extend partly along the outer edges of said lens units, spaced clips on each of said resilient end portions intertting with said lensunit edges and a nose engaging element carrying post depending from the medial portion of said cross bar.

("HARLES L. MO'WRER. 

